Senator BOSWELL (Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) (3:26 PM) —I want to make a contribution to this debate on the Queensland amalgamations because I think it opens a couple of areas—

Senator George Campbell —Mr Deputy President, I rise on a point of order. I understand that the motion before the chair is to take note of answers to questions today relating to the sale of uranium to India, the nuclear safeguards and the issue of nuclear reactors in this country. There has been no proposition to take note of the proposal about ballots or plebiscites in Queensland. Senator Macdonald got away with it; he took a bit of liberty and we let it go. But I think Senator Boswell is stretching a long bow by seeking to speak on this issue.

Senator Minchin —Mr Deputy President, on the point of order: I would point out that Senator Carr in particular drew the direct analogy between referenda in Queensland on the issue of local government elections and referenda on the siting of nuclear power reactors. The two have been melded throughout this question time and throughout the debate in taking note. It is perfectly reasonable to give Senator Boswell the opportunity to make his remarks relevant to the general debate about the question of referenda on the siting of nuclear reactors and the relevance of that question to the issue of local government. He has not been given that opportunity yet.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —On the points of order: Senator Boswell there is really a choice. You can make yourself relevant to the question that is before the chair, which is in respect of nuclear reactors, or I can put that question and then you can move to take note of the other answer. If you go down the other path you run the risk that I will rule that you are out of order. It is up to you.

Senator BOSWELL —Mr Deputy President, I was responding to some of the remarks that Senator Carr made in his contribution when he brought forward the amalgamations debate and linked it with the other question. I believe that gives me the right to respond, as Senator Carr has, and I would like to proceed to do so.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —You have to make your remarks relevant to the question that is before the chair; you just cannot reconstruct the question. Let me put the question first. The question is that the motion moved by Senator Carr be agreed to.

Question agreed to.